What to do the summer before medical school

Danielle curates content for Gap Medics, the world’s leading provider of hospital work experience placements for school and university students.

Danielle curates content for Gap Medics, the world’s leading provider of hospital work experience placements for school and university students.

If you have been accepted into medical school, it’s time to celebrate. All your hard work during college has paid off. If you are heading to medical school in the fall after you graduate college, you may want to think about how to spend the summer before schools starts. Consider some of the suggestions below.

Read and pre-study

Medical school will be tough, and if you want to get a jump on things, you may decide to start doing a little studying ahead of time. Whether you need a review of anatomy or organic chemistry, studying before school starts may help you brush up on areas you are a little weak. Spending part of your summer studying may not be for everyone, but it might be a good choice for some.

Travel

If you have the money, the summer before med school may be a great time to travel. The admission process is behind you, and the rigors of med school have not started yet. Taking a few weeks or months to see the country or the world can be exciting. Plus, you may not have the time or money to take a vacation for a while.

Volunteer work

Once you get into medical school, the pressure is off, at least for the summer. Most undergrads spend a lot of time focusing on the admission process. It could be a nice break to focus on something else. Consider taking a few months before med school to do some volunteer work and give back. In addition to giving back, volunteer work provides you with the chance to do something different, which has nothing to do with medicine.

Work and earn some cash

Even if you have student loans, it’s helpful to have some extra cash when you start medical school. Spending a few months working and saving a bit won’t be enough to make a dent in your tuition. But it may provide you with enough money to pay for books or extra expenses that come up.

Tie up loose ends

There may be some things you need to take care of before you start school. If you are moving to a new city, you may have several things to consider. You will have to decide where you are going to live and what you need to bring. It is also a good time to plan a budget and figure out your finances. Those who are leaving an apartment may also have to tie things up there. If you are working on any research projects or doing volunteer work, you should probably wrap things up the summer before you leave.

Don’t think about med school at all

The summer before med school can be the perfect time to do nothing at all. Don’t make any plans, and don’t think about medical school. Summer flies by, and in just a few months you will be busy with classes, exams and studying. Consider taking the summer to chill while you can.

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